Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Woodward High School
⎯⎯⎯
School for Creative and Performing Arts
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
1. Woodward High School Marker (Side A)
Woodward High School. William and Abigail Cutter Woodward founded Woodward High School, the first public high school west of the Allegheny Mountains, on this site October 24, 1831. Concerned that the poor of Cincinnati had no avenues for education, the Woodwards donated land, time, funding, and expertise to this venture that brought the arts and sciences to "those who have not the means of procuring such advantages themselves." Notables include Dr. Joseph Ray, principal, 1851-1855, author of several popular mathematics texts; Professor William McGuffey, author of the well-known readers and spellers; and William Howard Taft, Class of 1874, former U.S. President. From 1856-1863, the home of Levi and Catherine Coffin was also located on this site. Both were legendary abolitionists who helped enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada. Levi is often referred to as the "President of the Underground Railroad."
School for Creative and Performing Arts. Since 1976, this site has been home to the School for Creative and Performing Arts, the first, oldest, and, in 2003, still the only school of its scope and breadth in the world. Founded in 1973, SCPA is a public high school for grades 4-12, offering a complete college preparatory academic curriculum combined with a pre-professional, career path training in eight arts
this page online
Erected 2002 by The Ohio Bientennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, National Honor Society, SCPA Facta Non Verba Chapter 2002, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 61-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1866.
Location. 39° 6.628′ N, 84° 30.613′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in Over-The-Rhine. It is at the intersection of Sycamore Street and East 13th Street, on the right when traveling north on Sycamore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1310 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
2. School for Creative and Performing Arts Marker (Side B)
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cincinnati Riots of 1884 / Sheriff Morton Lytle Hawkins (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
3. Woodward High School Drawing on Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
4. "W" Over Entrance to Former Woodward High School
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
5. Woodward High School / School for Creative and Performing Arts
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 31, 2009
6. Architectural Detail on Former Woodward High School
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,999 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 15, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
